Gun control politicians facing recall in Colorado

By Elizabeth Lefebvre|Print |Share

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As we saw earlier this spring when the Senate blocked a bipartisan bill[1] introducing gun control measures—despite 90 percent of Americans approving of some form of gun control—it’s much easier said than done when it comes to tightening gun laws here in the United States.

In Colorado, where tailored gun control measures that required background checks for private sales and limited ammunition clips were recently passed, a recall has been started[2] to try to oust from office the politicians who drove the laws. Two democratic state senators will face a recall vote on September 10. The recall effort could cost taxpayers up to $200,000, even though some have pointed out that for the two state senators being targeted, one is ineligible to run again due to term limits, and the other is a first-term senator who will be up for reelection next year. However, gun advocates declared that the symbolic act of removing them from office is necessary as a response to protect their second amendment rights.

Let’s not forget that Colorado was the site both of the school shooting at Columbine in 1999 and last summer’s shooting at an Aurora movie theater. Said John Morse, one of the senators facing recall, of last year’s tragedies in Newtown, Connecticut and Aurora: “I just go back to December 14 and July 20, and think about the families that had to bury their children.”